BOULDER — After three seasons of roaming the perimeter, Colorado senior Richard Roby will be called upon to slide inside more often in the new “Princeton-style” offense being taught by first-year coach Jeff Bzdelik.
The 6-foot-6 Roby, who averaged 17.3 points last season but shot just 38.3 percent, doesn’t seem to mind that at all.
“I’m more capable of going inside and outside this year so (defenders) don’t just see me in one place,” Roby said Thursday during CU men’s and women’s basketball media day activities.
“In past years, teams put smaller, quicker guys on me because I was on the perimeter. That took away my driving capabilities. But now I have opportunities to take those little guys to the post.”
Women’s offense changes. In an effort to give her frontcourt players more room to operate underneath the basket, Colorado women’s coach Kathy McConnell-Miller has switched from her signature high-low offense to a “four out, one in” style.
It’s hoped the new offense, which keeps only one player in the post, will prevent teams from double-teaming Jackie McFarland. A 6-3 senior forward, McFarland was named to the all-Big 12 first team last spring after averaging 17.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. The new offense also should keep 6-4 center Kara Richards and 6-3 forward Aija Putnina from getting in each other’s way.
“We needed to get the (frontcourt players) in single coverage because they can score when they are only going against one defender,” McConnell-Miller said.
Women’s footnotes. Look for former Connecticut and Highlands Ranch High School star Ann Strother to soon be named director of operations for the CU women’s team. Strother will continue to play in the summer for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever….At times, McConnell-Miller might put sophomore Whitney Houston and freshman Brittany Spears in the backcourt together. “A lot of people on campus think it’s funny,” Spears said with a grin. …
Men’s footnotes. Marcus Hall could be ready by the second exhibition (Nov. 6 against Regis University), Bzdelik said. Hall underwent recent surgery to repair a torn ligament on his right thumb….Bzdelik praised both freshmen signed in November by Ricardo Patton. Bzdelik said 6-11 Caleb Patterson of tiny Ringwood, Okla., “has great potential,” and pointed out that 6-4 Levi Knutson from Arapahoe High School recently hit 71 3-pointers in a five-minute drill (out of an estimated 80 to 85 attempts). Bzdelik said the lone scholarship freshman he signed, 6-5 Cory Higgins, reminds him of former Air Force star Antoine Hood.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
